CELEBRATING THE SUCCESS OF INSPIRE

People who use mental health services are having the chance to showcase their creative talents at a special event being held at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th December 2003.

The events are being held to mark the end of Inspire, an arts and creativity project run by the South West Yorkshire Mental Health NHS Trust, Wakefield Council’s Social Services and Health and DIVA, Development Initiatives for Voluntary Arts.

Everybody is welcome to come along, free of charge, to celebrate the success of the project. There will be an opportunity, to view exhibitions of artwork created by people who use mental health and learning disabilities services and to take part in art, photography and music workshops.

Corinne Silva, artist in residence said, ‘Since the Inspire project launched in October 2002 over 200 people have benefited from taking part in creative activities. This final event is a wonderful way to celebrate the success of the project. The exhibitions will give everybody who has taken part the chance to show off their achievements and will hopefully contribute to reducing the stigma surrounding mental health. I would encourage everybody to come along.’

Speaking about the success of the project Cllr Peter Loosemore said “We are pleased to have been involved in working with the Inspire project which involved three artists in residence bringing out people’s creativity.

“The project has been very rewarding for everyone concerned and challenges the usual stereotypes associated with mental illness. I am hoping that this positive outcome will illustrate that we need to encourage people who are suffering from mental illness. The Inspire project has certainly done what it says and I am sure that everyone who goes along to Bretton will be impressed.”